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Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Water Week - The Gefion Fountain, Copenhagen

This fountain is one of my favourite single objects in one of my favourite cities on the other side of the Öresund Bridge - and this is me, the one who isn't very comfortable around statues and sculptures, but still, fascinating they are... - the bronze Gefion Fountain which depicts an old Nordic mythology story. The story about the Norwegian goddess of chastity (possibly fertility) Gefjun and how she turned her four sons into oxens so they could plow a substantial territory during one night only, a territory she was promised by the Swedish king Gylfi.

The territory she plowed was thrown into the water thus creating the island of Zealand on which Copenhagen is situated. The hole left behind is said to be the lake Mälaren, of which a substantial part can be found in and around Stockholm. (Some say it's not Mälaren but the lake Vänern that was formed from the hole left behind.)

This grand fountain (said to be the largest monument in Copenhagen) was inaugurated in 1908, underwent renovations during the years 1999-2004, thus re-opened in 2004. Located near the Citadel - which plays a big role in the John Irving book "Until I Find You" - and you can't miss neither the monument nor the sound of the roaring water it if you're heading to the famous (imho though in very less than charming and befitting surroundings, sadly enough) Little Mermaid statue at the Langelinie waterfront. Do visit if you happen to be in Copenhagen and ...

for one that feels uncomfortable around statues and sculptures pia k, you sure do give one fascinating and interesting history lesson.i love the picture of the fountain in this post.that fountain, if it had a tongue made of flesh instead of silvery water, could sure tell some good tales, eh.....love terry

About Me

stockholmian with soft spot for anything bright and beautiful (incl colourful shoes and bobbaloos) to ease the weltschmerz : freelance creative writer, copywriter, image maker etc at prosit ord & bild ab : vegetarian ex-lawyer : knitting tea drinker : thinker, reader and curious ponderer : heart cats thus residence shared with a fabulastic bunch of them (incl a wee breeding of gorgeous, plush british shorthairs) : once there was a little loaf dog extraordinaire (norfolk terrier) but alas no longer : love to travel whenever an opportunity comes along : most often live by the fact that any kind of idiot can live in order, only a true genius master chaos! : always keep in mind the apt and wonderful quote by gandhi ~ the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way in which its animals are treated ~ , just remember that the path to moral progress begins with each and everyone of us as individuals :
~~~ here in blog i sort out my thoughts, ideas and opinions - which may not agree with everyone's - as well as share bits and pieces of this life and world of mine. welcome ~